A Guest 13 from Jasmine Aherne

Today, for Thursday 13 my friend and colleague Jasmine Aherne tells you 13 things you can do instead of finishing that WIP.

Thirteen procrastinations…

1. Re-read through manuscript, especially if I don’t need to. Just to remind myself of the story, you understand….
2. Make a cup of tea. Even if my desk is covered in empty mugs.
3. Get something to eat. My brain needs food!
4. Call my mother. This one is if I’m feeling in particular need of self-punishment.
5. Go and see what the boyfriend is doing. If it’s interesting, I might get sucked in. I mean, I might get a plot idea from him! You never know…
6. Clean the house. Again, this one only comes up if I am really stuck.
7. Check out what’s on iplayer (www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer). They might have exactly the kind of show on that I need to fix the problem in my story! What? They might!
8. Make another cup of tea. I have seven kinds of tea in my cupboards. It’ll probably take a few minutes to choose.
9. Clean my keyboard. I really shouldn’t eat at my desk. And what’s this mystery item I’ve found between the E and R keys…?
10. Check if the mail has been delivered. Get upset that it’s only junk mail.
11. Go on Amazon to see if Nora Roberts’ new book is out yet. I’m a Nora junkie.
12. Check Twitter. Reply to any interesting tweets.
13. By this time I’ll probably have got around to one of the more productive procrastinations I indulge in – writing a blog post!

*

Jasmine Aherne writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Visit her and say hello at www.jasmineaherne.com

A Recipe from Jasmine Aherne

Somerset Honey & Cider chicken

Ingredients:

4 joints of chicken (whole leg/thighs)
2 tsp. dry mustard powder
1/2 tsp. salt
black pepper
1/4 pint English cider (the sparkling, alcoholic kind)
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 tbsp. honey

Instructions:

1. Place joints of chicken in a non-reactive bowl or casserole dish in a single layer.
2. Combine mustard, salt, pepper, cider, oil, and honey. Pour over the chicken and marinate for at least one hour.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake chicken in large casserole dish or roasting pan about one hour. Baste the chicken with pan drippings occasionally.
4. Skin of chicken will be brown and crisp when done. Serve piping hot.
5. Enjoy!

Jasmine Aherne is a good friend and a terrific writer from the UK. She has five titles with Pink Petal Books and an upcoming release with Rebel Ink.

Please visit her at http://www.jasmineaherne.com

Mini-Chat with Jasmine Aherne on NaNoWriMo

I see a lot of people online asking why the heck someone would do NaNo. Some people seem to think NaNo doesn't actually result in publishable work. I think it does - with ample editing, of course, like any manuscript. I obviously think NaNo is worth doing, even if it is a grueling time of year.

I asked my friend author Jasmine Aherne a few questions on the subject of NaNo, and she was kind enough to answer:

Why: Is NaNo worth doing, and Why?

Absolutely. For me, I love NaNo because it makes me write. I have a proper deadline, a goal each day, and I love seeing the little percentage bar go up every time I write. It’s the kick in the backside that I so often need to get a novel started.

How: What’s your best NaNo tip or trick?

Lots of tea, and a NaNo buddy to keep your spirits up.

What: What’s your project this year, and any past years – have you ever had a NaNo book published?

This year it’s a time travel romance about a Baron from 1840 who gets sucked into modern day London via a magical locket. I hope to submit it to Pink Petal Books for their “Spellbound Treasure” series. Fingers crossed!

I have indeed had a NaNo book published – I wrote my first novel Stranded during NaNo in November 2008, and by May 2009, after some heavy edits it was published!

So, there you have it - a little why, how and what from an author who does NaNo. So, you don't have to take my word for it!

Visit Jasmine at her website to learn more about her fabulous books!

12 Flavours of... Author Jasmine Aherne

Today, we learn twelve very fast favourites of Jasmine Aherne, author of Stranded and Outfoxed.

1. Favourite book - Born in Shame by Nora Roberts
2. Favourite genre - Contemporary Romance
3. Favourite movie - X-Men 2 (I am a comic geek)
4. Favourite TV show, magazine or newspaper - Bones
5. Favourite kind of music - Classical
6. Best invention ever in the history of humankind - The oven. I LOVE to bake.
7. Favourite subject in school - English Lit
8. Favourite website/blog - www.lakeland.co.uk
9. Favourite #hashtag - #replacesongwordswithbacon
10. Favourite way to decompress/relax - baking or reading
11. Best thing about writing - emails from readers!!
12. The best thing about/in your life - great friends and tasty food.

Jasmine has been making up stories since she can remember, and is now thrilled that people would like to read about the men, women and fae running amok in her head. She lives in Cardiff, UK, with a very understanding boyfriend and a bearded dragon.


Drop her a line and say hello at www.jasmineaherne.com.